ConstituencySpeaks:Jammu West calls for solutions to civic woes in upcoming polls

JAMMU, Aug 30: As Assembly elections return to the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir after a decade, the residents of Jammu West Assembly Constituency are voicing their expectations for solutions to long-standing local issues, including water shortages, stray dog menace, and inadequate parking facilities.
Jammu West, the largest Assembly segment in the Jammu region with 43 of the total 90 Assembly seats in J&K, faces a variety of civic challenges that voters hope will be addressed by the incoming representatives. Residents, particularly youngsters, have highlighted these issues as critical in determining their vote.
“We will review the manifestos of the political parties to see who is committed to resolving the water shortage, lack of parking space, and the stray dog menace in our constituency,” said Amit Singh Jamwal and Ravinder Singh, both residents of the constituency.
The scarcity of parking space is a pressing concern, especially during the evening when vehicles are parked along both sides of the main roads and in lanes across the segment. This situation causes significant inconvenience, often leading to traffic jams and accidents, particularly during peak hours.
Mahesh Sharma, a retired principal, echoed these concerns. “Apart from water shortage, stray dogs are a major issue for the residents of this constituency, which falls under the jurisdiction of Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC),” he noted. Sharma criticized the JMC for its failure to control the stray dog population, which poses a particular threat to the elderly and children.
In several areas of Jammu West, including Rajpura, Gurha, Qasin Nagar, and Roulki, residents face irregular water supply, with the situation becoming especially dire during the peak summer months. “My only concern is regular water supply, not development,” said Neelam Kumari, a retired government employee. She questioned the claims of development, asking, “If there is development, why are we receiving water only every two to three days?”
As the election approaches, the voters of Jammu West are keenly awaiting the release of party manifestos, hoping to find promises that address these urgent needs. Their decision at the polls will hinge on which party they believe can deliver on these critical issues.